Tigers manager Jim Leyland had been relatively quiet this season - for a manager that has more than 44 ejections under his career belt.

But Wednesday told a different story after home plate umpire Paul Schrieber put his hand on Magglio Ordonez's back.

Schrieber was attempting to guide Ordornez back to the Tigers' dugout after a called third strike, but Leyland quickly intervened.

MLB.com, May 14: Ordonez -- who did not initiate contact with Schrieber -- immediately took offense, and the argument heated up.

Leyland erupted, bursting from the dugout and getting between the two. Leyland animatedly picked up the protest and had some pointed words for Schrieber, who eventually ejected him. It was Leyland's first ejection this season.

Leyland continued to vent after the ejection, walking up and down the dugout and yelling back to Schrieber before climbing the steps to the visiting clubhouse at the Metrodome.

Ordonez was not available for comment after the game, which the Twins won, 14-10, in 13 innings. Leyland, meanwhile, clearly believed that Schrieber had crossed a line by touching Ordonez. Players, managers and coaches are typically suspended if they touch an umpire.

"Did you see what happened? OK, then you write what you saw," Leyland said angrily. "I don't have to say a word. You write what you saw. And I hope you all got the guts to write what you saw.

"I don't need to say anything. Write what you saw. I don't need to say a word. If you watched the ... game, then write what you saw."

I would be shocked if Schreiber is not suspended for his actions and even more upset by the obvious double standard between players and officials.

It is not clear if an umpire touching a player is a rules violation or a cause for disciplinary action, but if a player can receive a lengthy suspension and hefty fine for any physical contact, why should an umpire be held to any less of a standard?